Ilhan Omar, a vocal critic of Donald Trump and the upcoming Democratic congressional candidate for Minnesota, has said she will not be silenced after federal agents raided her home. The search was conducted in connection with an 'ongoing federal criminal investigation'. No other details were immediately available, and she has not been arrested.
Omar's response on social media
Omar posted on X: 'I'm ok. Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponise federal law enforcement. For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced.'
The search of the Minnesota congresswoman's home comes close to next month's midterm contests that will determine control of the House. The timing has raised questions given longstanding Justice Department protocol to avoid overt investigative steps involving political candidates in the direct run-up to an election.
Background and scrutiny
The Somali-born Democrat's status as an immigrant and her progressive views have repeatedly drawn criticism from Republicans. She is part of 'The Squad', a progressive group of Democrats who take on the US President.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said last month that there was an 'ongoing investigation' related in part to whether Omar lied on her immigration forms and that 'something's going to happen.'
